On the biggest NFL stage, he and the New England Patriots had fallen short. Twice. And the sting
of those single-digit losses to the Giants (in Super Bowls XLII and XLVI) still lingers.

They “no doubt” were the most painful losses of his career, and for that reason, they still
drive him. Welker is determined not to fall short this time with the Denver Broncos.

“I think it’s the reason I get up in the morning in the offseason, even now,” the receiver said
recently of his Super Bowl defeats. “We’re close again and just trying to make the most of it.”

In his first group interview since the AFC championship game victory over the Patriots on Jan.
19, Welker sidestepped the controversy that began with his hard pick on New England cornerback Aqib
Talib and escalated a day later when Patriots coach Bill Belichick called out his former receiver,
terming it “one of the worst plays I’ve seen.” He said Welker deliberately tried to hurt Talib, who
left the game in the second quarter because of a knee injury. The league, however, saw things
differently and did not fine Welker. “I was never really worried about it,” he said.

Welker also didn’t seem to care about his former coach’s comments. “I don’t really have any
reaction,” he said. “I’m just happy that we won the game and happy about going to the Super
Bowl."

Quarterback Peyton Manning is a large reason that Welker and the Broncos are in the Super Bowl.
But the selfless play of several big-name offensive stalwarts also is a big factor. Denver has five
players with at least 10 touchdowns — Welker, Demaryius Thomas, Julius Thomas, Knowshon Moreno and
Eric Decker.

“I think throughout this locker room, you’ve got guys who are very unselfish,” said Decker, a
receiver. “We know what it takes to win. We don’t need to talk about it; we need to play about
it."

You won’t find any divas in the Denver receivers’ room.

“That’s just how we are,” Welker said. “I think we do a great job of giving each other trash if
we ever become like that or anything else. … Without one guy showing up to a game, it affects the
other guys.”